Well you're in for a treat! Today's blog post is dedicated to Homer, Gwen and the cats of Blind Cat Rescue.

Homer, Gwen & Blind Cat Rescue
Last week in a very special blog post, Glogirly and I had the honor of featuring Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary, the shelter we are supporting in the Campaign for a Cause Contest. As Glogirly talked on the phone with Alana Miller, the amazing woman behind the North Carolina rescue organizaton, it became clear how much Gwen, Homer and their story meant not only to her and Blind Cat Rescue, but to humans and cats all over the world.

"Gwen has made a tremendous difference in the lives of blind cats. She has managed to change the mindset of if you're blind you're dead." Alana explained how Gwen had opened people's minds and hearts to the idea of adopting a cat who might otherwise be euthanized simply because they couldn't see.

We just knew we had to find out more.

So what does any curious and resourceful cat with internet access do? I sent her a Facebook message, or course. I arranged for a meet-and-greet between Gwen and us. Not being much of a phone talker, I quickly turned it over to Glogirly for the heavy lifting.

Gwen & Homer

In The Beginning
In the summer of 2008, when Homer was a strapping 11-year-old, Gwen was putting together a book proposal for Homer's story. She needed some statistics on blind cats. Although there wasn't much concrete information to be found, an easy Google search turned up Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary in St Pauls, North Carolina. That's when she met Alana Miller, Director of BCRS. They talked on the phone for a long time and became fast friends. In our previous post about Blind Cat Rescue, Alana described Gwen as her inspiration. Gwen was quick to correct that, letting us know that is was actually Alana who provided the inspiration.

In 2009, Gwen's story of her blind wonder cat became a reality. Just two weeks after it's release, Homer's Odyssey was a New York Times best seller. Clearly readers were responding to her heartwarming message and a little black cat you couldn't help but fall in love with.

Gwen & the gang at Blind Cat Rescue

Giving Back
The first stop on Gwen's paperback launch tour was Blind Cat Rescue, where she presented them with a check for $10,000 from the royalties of Homer's Odyssey. Gwen continues to donate 10% of her book royalties to homeless pets in need. She talked about how this past year has been particularly devastating for pets affected by natural disasters and extreme weather. She's been able to make a difference for pets in these tragic circumstances.

Inspiration
When we asked Gwen to tell us who has inspired her the most, other than Homer of course, she had a very hard time pinning it down to any single person. At home, her husband keeps her going and provides encouragement when she's down. But it's the people on the front lines, like Blind Cat Rescue's Alana Miller, who do incredible things everyday and work tirelessly to make a difference. THEY are her inspiration.

Homer & Gwen, squeeeee!

Homer Family Update
Gwen describes Homer, now a dignified 15, as the elder statesman of blind cats. "Although he's mellowed with age, he still has his moments of rambunctiousness. Sometimes he'll meow and meow because he's just so bored."

That's when Gwen is quickly reminded it's her job to entertain him. "He must have some Siamese in his blood with vocal cords like those!"

Just last April, the cat family expanded when Homer "welcomed" in Clayton and Fanny, all-black, and definitely all-kitten, litter mates. Clayton has three legs and a charming "sideways run," as Gwen puts it. For the most part, Homer "leaves them to their kittenesque antics unless something with catnip is involved."

Considering A Special Needs Adoption?
Gwen reminded us that special needs is such a broad umbrella. "It can mean a cat with three legs versus one that needs to be medicated many times a day." She urges those thinking about adoption to "consider your lifestyle, your time and the kind of home you can provide. But most importantly, at the end of the day it's just a cat and capable of living life as any other cat." Gwen has a terrific FAQ about living with a blind cat on her WEBSITE.

COMING SOON...Gwen's new book!

Love Saves The Day
If you haven't heard, Gwen has a new book coming out early next year! Love Saves The Day is a novel told primarily from the perspective of the family cat. (something we can all relate to!) It's about a mother and daughter who have a difficult relationship and the cat that becomes the bridge between them.

The mother and daughter narrate about a third of the book, the family cat the rest. Gwen was surprised how challenging it was to flip back and forth between voices, getting the vocabulary just right and species-appropriate! "Would a cat say that??? They'd never use that word..."

Glogirly and I have the same thing to say about this one though - We can't wait!

And Now An Important Announcement
I was kind of nervous, kept my head down a little, brushed my front paw from side to side. I think I almost stuttered. Embarrassing for a cat with my confidence. I asked Homer if he wouldn't mind endorsing me in my campaign for the blind cats. And guess what?!

"Please help the cats of Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary by voting for Katie in the Campaign For A Cause Contest. Remember, love isn't something you see with your eyes." - Homer, the Blind Wonder Cat

60 comments:

Am I furrst????Whoa, maybe I's getting lucky.I want to be entered to win tha neat book about Homer.What a wonnerful story.Not sure what info you need about me, but I's on the Cat Blogosphere at KC at catblogosphere DOT com.And I's gotted mine own bloggie, too, at http://missyblueeyes.blogspot.com/Love love love tha campaign poster wif Homer's words of wisdom.O, that cats could rule the world. What a better place it would be.Love & Purrs,KC

I so loved Gwen's Homer's Odyssey! I laughed and cried, it was very touching. I certainly fell in love with sweet Homer. I'm thrilled to hear Gwen's got a new booking coming, she has a great writing style.

Since I already have the book on my shelf, I'll let some other lucky cat win and enjoy the great heart warming story.

That is really wonderful that Homer has endorsed you and Blind Cat Rescue, Katie. Last year Mom sent Homer's Odyssey as a gift to her sister overseas, but it went directly to her, so she has not read it herself yet. We would love ot be entered in the drawing. Our email is simbasanticsATmeDOTcom

Mama quickly dashed off to a bookstore near us and couldn't find any copy of the book! Curse us for not living in the US of A. So, Katie darling, if you have pity for your tabby lover boy, purrrrlease let us win the book. After all, I do babysit the sole tuxie kitty in the house. Purrrlease....pwetty purrrlease..... har har har *pleading laughs*

I've known about Gwen's association with Blind Cat Rescue for a long time now (I reviewed Homer's Odyssey a while back), and I really hope to be able to give back someday with my books on the kind of level she and Homer have done!

We would love to enter the prize draw for Homer's Odyssey please. We know our Mum had a cat who went blind in her old age and it was in fact a few weeks before she realised as she was still jumping up on the tops as she always had done!Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

What a wonderful story, Katie! Thank you for introducing us to Gwen. I can't believe I am saying this, but I have not read Homer's Odyssey yet and MUST do so. Despite all the doom and gloom and how it may seem on the surface, there is so much love and compassion in this world and these kind of stories should be the headlines and not the one's that leave us feeling depressed and helpless.

Homer da mancat!!! He knows who to support! I didn't even line his pockets with salmon. heh heh! Can't wait to pawty. This campaign is going swimmingly. Loved this post. We have a copy of the book and have read it. One of TW's fave books ever. We wish we could meet Homer. It's all about the Blind Cats, not us.

great interview. mom loves Homer and Gwen and their book....she has a copy and has loaned it out more than once. :) but if she wins she can use it to make up a gift basket to use at an auction for our local rescue

What a great interview AND cause! We already have Homers book so don't enter us. We wish all kitties could have a home and there would be now more suffering or homelessness. A tall order, but we can all do our best, like Gwen and Glogirly & Katie to help our own little corners of the world.

KatieWhat a wonderful post!We love Homer too and have followed Gwen's blog for a long time. WE do have Homer's book(LOVE IT) so please exclude us from the drawing (we want someone who doesn't have it to win!)purrs>^,,^<✿•*¨`*•. ♥Abby♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥Grace♥✿•*¨`*•.

We love Homer's story (since we have the book already, we are opting out of the drawing). A word of warning to people who have not read it yet: be prepared to cry, laugh and totally fall in love with Homer!

Count us in! I read the book years ago (my first cat book) and was so inspired. Would love to win one as a gift for next person who adopts one of our kitties!Great campaign!Christinewww.riverfrontcats.com

Dear Katie, Me has shared this post! Me has always thoughts Homer was pretty special! BUT -- Me is still Austins's Campaign Manager and me is STILL promoting Fairdields in england!KissesNellieCampaign Manager for AustinCat Ruler of the World 2012

We would all love to have a chance to read this amazing book in our house. Our sister has occular siezures & our little brother has one eye, we are 'Team Katie' all the way-The Blind Cat rescue is so amazing, we'll be rallying votes to help in any way we can! mom's email is barkergirl33(at)yahoo.com (we DO not have any canines-our brother's name is Barkerman...mom's wierd!) Thank you!!

We would love to have a copy of Homer's story for the Momma to read to us! She's lovin' on those Blind Kitties, she just sent her sister-in-law bunches of their Rescue Roast coffee (shameless plug, everyone go buy some to support the Rescue!)

I've had the pleasure of visiting the furry babies at Blind Cat Rescue, and am in awe of what Alanna has accomplished. I am the proud human of three sighted cats and two dogs, and assist with the feeding and care of a feral colony in my neighborhood. I happened upon the GloGirly site after reading about it on facebook, and think it is spectacular. Thank you for the beautiful cat paw American Flag tribute for 9/11! Sincerely, Gina Lane ginalane@sc.rr.com